Swedish regulations on usage of two-component epoxy in relining
Relining is a method used for renovating tap water pipes in a building or in the ground by covering the interior of the existing pipes with a thin layer of plastic. This layer of plastic might be an epoxy-based material or another material. Epoxy-based materials used in the relining of domestic water pipes may contain and release bisphenol A (BPA). Domestic water pipes in this context refer to pipes for drinking water and hot water for consumption.
Ban on two-component epoxy which contains bisphenol A or bisphenol A diglycidylether
In Sweden, there is a ban on certain epoxy-based materials when renovating tap water pipes by relining. According to the ban, two-component epoxy which contains bisphenol A or bisphenol A diglycidylether must not be used when casting new plastic pipes within old tap water pipes. The ban only applies to chemical products that consist of a base and a hardener which are mixed at the place of the casting.
Chemical Products (Handling, Import and Export Prohibitions) Ordinance (1998:944), 2-2a §§
External link. (In Swedish)
Prevent bisphenol A in tap water
Bisphenol A is a substance with endocrine disrupting properties and is also classified as toxic for reproduction. The concentration of bisphenol A that can cause adverse effects on human health is a matter of debate, but it is suspected that effects can occur even at very low concentrations. To prevent that bisphenol A is emitted into tap water, a Swedish ban on usage of certain epoxy-based materials in new renovations of tap water pipes by means of use a relining, applies from the 1 September 2016.
Epoxy-based materials which are used when renovating tap water pipes may contain and emit bisphenol A (BPA). In this context, tap water pipes refer to pipes intended for drinking water and hot water for consumption.
Read more about bisphenol A on the European Chemicals Agency´s, Echas, webpage. External link.
Dispensation from the ban
If there are special reasons, the Swedish Chemicals Agency may grant a dispensation from the ban. The application fee is 15.000 SEK. You must submit a written application and provide sufficient reasons for a dispensation. We may only grant dispensations in individual cases.